This documentary has just been released. It is called “Santiago Gapp, the priest who confronted Hitler.” It is the story of this Marianist, who was persecuted and executed by the Gestapo for opposing the Nazis.
The story begins when Santiago discovered his vocation to the priesthood, after serving in the Austrian army during World War I.
He entered the Marianists and was ordained a priest. He was famous for strongly criticizing Nazism in his homilies.
MANUEL CABO
Co-producer, “Santiago Gapp, the priest who confronted Hitler”
“Since 1938, when the Nazi troops entered Austria, he always opposed Nazism both publicly and privately. He was denounced twice to the Gestapo.”
The situation intensified so much in Austria that he decided to escape. He first went to France and then in 1941 he went to Spain.
He taught in a school. His students said he spoke about respecting Jews. For this reason, the father of one of the children denounced him.
The Gestapo sent undercover agents who pretended to be Jews. They tricked him into crossing the French border. There they arrested him and took him to a prison in Berlin. He was tortured, sentenced to death, and beheaded in 1943.
Manuel Cabo wants people to remember who Santiago Gapp was. Although the Church beatified him, very few know who he is and the courage he had.
MANUEL CABO
Co-producer, “Santiago Gapp, the priest who confronted Hitler”
“I think he's a figure who transcends the religious terrain. He is historically very important because he is a person, a priest, a Marianist who openly confronted Nazism, the Fascist regime. I think his example can help us, even more so today in these strange times we are living in.”
The film was shot in Austria, Spain, France and Germany. They show the prison where he was executed and documents such as the original letter for his death sentence.
“El sacerdote que se enfrentó a Hitler”
